ROH FINAL BATTLE 2004

ROH FINAL BATTLE 2004

Bryan Danielson vs. Low Ki
This is pretty widely considered to be disappointing, and I think that's fair because going into this Ki vs. Danielson had delivered some early 2000s indy classics. This is definitely not one of those classics, but it's still a good match! The finish foooor sure takes away from it, but I enjoyed everything that happened beforehand. Great work on the mat in the beginning, really good arm-targeting by Ki with Danielson's selling of it being good as well + the big Danielson comeback before the match ended was awesome. Shame the match wasn't more & had an angle-heavy ending, but oh well. Still enjoyable. ***

ROH World Championship
Samoa Joe vs. Austin Aries
Honestly an incredible fucking match & the perfect way to end Joe's epic title reign. The way the match slowly establishes that Aries is FOR REAL in this as it progresses is just superb. Everytime he survives Joe's bulldozing some more & puts together his explosive combinations, the crowd reacts more & more. It's some real special stuff with a special atmosphere. That final sequence after he escapes Joe's Muscle Buster attempt is amazing. Take a bow, both men. One of the greatest title reigns of all-time fittingly comes to an end in a classic. ****3/4